Commissions

The Architecture Commission’s mission is to promote the understanding of the architect’s role in the design of theatres and performance spaces and to provide an architectural resource for members and the professional community on theatre design.

Commission Leadership

Commissioner: Jean Gonzalez-Hill
Commissioner: Zachary Thonen
Commissioner: Topher Skulley
   

Representative - OISTAT: Greg Cook
Representative - Mentorship: Kascey Haslinger
Representative - IDEAS: Amanda Fisk
   
Awards: Sonya Julian
Distinguished Achievement Award: Paul Sanow

Updated: July 3, 2025

Architecture Awards Program

The USITT Architecture Awards Program recognizes, both publicly and professionally, architectural projects that provide design excellence and the ability to resolve design challenges present in large and small projects for old and new theatres. These challenges can be aesthetic, regulatory, technical, or operational challenges.

Since 1994, Honor Awards (the highest designation) and Merit Awards have been presented at the Awards Banquet culminating at the Annual Conference & Stage Expo. Application forms are distributed each fall and submissions are reviewed by a jury.

ASTC USITT Student/Consultant Venue Renovation Challenge

It is not too early to start planning for this challenge, which allows students (graduate or undergraduate) to gain experience with performance venue design and renovation.

The Costume Design & Technology Commission provides members with opportunities to share ideas, exchange information, develop professionally, and affect the future welfare and development of those in fields including, but not limited to Costume Design, Costume Technology, Management, Hair & Make-up Design and Technology, Wardrobe and Backstage Technologies, and Education in all aspects of the Entertainment Industries:

• Endorsing projects that will benefit the profession and support goals.
• Encouraging members through Commission meetings, formal and informal gatherings, monthly Sightlines articles, yearly symposia, and networking to become actively involved in programming for conferences and in projects.
• Sponsoring the annual symposium in various locations at reasonable rates to involve as many people as possible.
• Providing avenues for individual professional development through costume design and technology portfolio reviews for professionals and students.
• Promoting health, safety, and welfare of those in the field by identifying problems, issues, and concerns and working toward endorsable solutions.

Commission Leadership:

Commissioner: Jana Henry Funderburk

Programing (eSHOW) Commissioner: Lauren Roark

Programming Commissioner: Jennifer Flitton Adams

IDEAS Representative: Rosa Lazaro

History & Heritage Representative: Vacant

Programming Advisors:  Jennifer Daszczyszak, Grace Keenan, Jason Estala, Allison Crutchfield, Meghan Pearson, and Randy Handley

Student Advisor: Abbie Hagen

Communication Coordinator: Jennifer Sheshko Wood

Teaching Archive & Publications Coordinator: Rebecca Turk

Awards Coordinator: Lara Berich

Volunteer Coordinator: Heather Milam

OISTAT Costume Working Group Representative: Kerry Bechtel

At Large Advisors: Jordan Draper, Deborah Anderson,  Erin Reed Carter

Updated: Oct. 10, 2024

Every year at the USITT Conference & Stage Expo the Costume Design & Technology Commission holds an informational and working meeting to update the membership on the state of current projects and initiatives supported by the Commission. Commission meetings are always open to the membership. Please take this opportunity to network with your colleagues, find out what is new with the commission, see where you can get involved, and find out what the Costume Design & Technology Commission can do for you!

Projects

The Survey of Costume Design and Technology Programs provides information on undergraduate and graduate in costume design or technology. Programs are listed in alphabetical order or in a regional index.

The Commercial Pattern Archives has a database that includes more than 35,000 patterns ranging from 1868 through 1968. Many of the patterns are available on a three-CD set.

The Costume Locator Service, the Costume Listserv, and the Costume Storage Database are currently unavailable.

The Commission maintains a link to the OISTAT Costume Working Group so that USITT members can stay abreast of OISTAT activities. Also, click here to visit the Prague Quadrennial (PQ) web page.

Revision of the Costume Job Descriptions document. As our industries evolve, we want to make sure we are reflecting that in the way we talk about jobs and responsibilities.

The Costume Shop Managers Roundtable meets monthly online to discuss topics of interest to those in costume leadership. Email costume@usitt.org to be added to the invitation.

The Costume Pedagogy Working Group meets regularly to discuss issues and share ideas for usage in the classroom. Email costume@usitt.org to be added to the invitation.

Awards

The Zelma H. Weisfeld Costume Design & Technology Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated excellence or outstanding potential in the areas of costume design or technology in the performing arts while pursuing a graduate degree.

The Barbara Matera Award in Costume Making sponsored by Judy Adamson is awarded to an individual who has demonstrated excellence or outstanding potential as a costume maker for the performing arts and/or entertainment industries. This award recognizes the costume maker, and is not intended to recognize achievement in design.

The USITT Makeup Design Award sponsored by Kryolan Professional Make-Up was established in 1998. Kryolan offers professional makeup designers a system of products and services to help them cope with the tasks of their work through innovative products and education in the proper application of these many products.

The Bernhard R. Works Master Craftsmanship Award was established in 2013 by USITT Fellow , Ph.D. — professor emeritus of design and technical production at the University of Illinois and 2011 recipient of USITT's Joel E. Rubin Founders Award and sponsor of the Frederick A. Buerki "Golden Hammer" Scenic Technology Award. 2016 award will be for costume making.

The Digital Media Commission provides dialog and the exchange of information about innovation and trends in the field of Projection Design and its related technologies and artistic expressions including, but not limited to, video design, digital media, interactive media, and new media as it relates to theatre and the live entertainment industry.  The commission provides a forum for projects and programs that promotes education and the advancement and practical application of design, technology, and recommended practices in the field.

Commission Leadership:

Commissioner: Megan Reilly
Commissioner: Michael Bateman
Commissioner: Kevin Gawley
   
IDEAS: Kevin Gawley
Mentorship: Chris Evans
History & Heritage: Chris Berchild
International: Ian Garrett, Matt Kizer
   
Communications: Sophia Coscia
Awards Coordinator: Elaine McCarthy, Jason Norris
Labs: Sarah Reed, Chris Haug
   
Publications for TD&T Coordinator: Raymond Kent

Updated: Oct. 20, 2023

The Education Commission serves students and educators in all areas of theatre design and technology. A diverse group of educators and a student liaison work to develop exciting and innovative programming for each Annual Conference & Stage Expo. The Commission regularly covers such topics as teaching, mentoring, tenure and promotion, curriculum, and student life. In addition, the work of the Education Commission continues throughout the year in the forms of several ongoing projects and archives.

Commission Leadership:

Commissioner: Matthew Allar
Commissioner-(programming focus): Anne Medlock
Commissioner-(IDEAS focus): Demara Cabrera
   
Special Projects Coordinator: Owen Collins
High School Initiatives Coordinator: Dana Taylor
History & Heritage Liaison: Vacant
Poster Session Coordinator: Caleb Stroman
Poster Session Coordinator: Sara Ice
DAA Coordinator: Laura J Eckelman
DAA Coordinator: Tom Burch
   
Communications Coordinator: Jenn Jacobs
Student Liaison: Kirk Slingluff    
   
OISTAT Representative: William Kenyon

Updated: Oct. 20, 2023

Education Commission Tenure Reviewer List

Tenure and Promotion Guidelines (2014)

The Engineering Commission allows members to exchange information on the engineering aspects of the entertainment industry and promotes the advancement and practical application of technology and standards.

Commissioner: Wendy Russell
Programming Commissioner: Michelle Flemming
Commissioner: Vacant
Coordinator for Student Activities: Vacant
Coordinator for Special Projects: Kimberly Corbett Oates
Coordinator for Awards: Brian Smallwood
Coordinator for International Activities: Daniel Lisowski
Coordinator for Communications: Lesley Boeckman
Coordinator for Publications: Jerrold Gorrell
   
ESTA Technical Standards Council Representative (Principle): Jerry Gorrell
ESTA Technical Standards Council Representative (Alternate): Justin Bennett
ESTA Electrical Power Working Group Representative: Mitch Hefter
ESTA Control Protocols Working Group Representative: Mitch Hefter
NFPA NEC Panel 15 Representative (Principal): Wendy Russell
NFPA NEC Panel 15 Representative (Alternate): Steve Terry
NFPA NEC Panel 13 Representative (Principal): Steve Terry
NFPA NEC Panel 13 Representative (Alternate): Mitch Hefter
NFPA 80 Representative (Principle): Jerry Gorrell
NFPA 80 Representative (Alternate): Dan Culhane
NFPA 101 Representative (Principal): Karl Ruling
NFPA 101 Representative (Alternate): Jerry Gorrell

Updated: Sept. 17 2024

Goals

• Create, design, outline, produce, and locate educational programs, sessions, and classes concerning technical procedures and practices for all trades and crafts of the entertainment industry and make them available to USITT Regional Sections, Student Chapters, and other entertainment organizations.
• Initiate projects that disseminate equipment specifications, design, and construction, as well as Standards and Recommended Practices.
• Work closely with other USITT Commissions, Committees, and outside industry groups including, but not limited to ESTA.

Projects

• USITT Standards Development
  • The Commission works closely with the Standards Committee to verify that the requirements for approval have been met in the developing, revising, reaffirming, or withdrawing USITT Standards, Guidelines, or Recommended Practices.
• DMX512 (Digital Data Transmission Standard for Dimmers and Controllers)
  • This standard, originally developed in 1986 and revised in 1990, describes a method of digital data transmission between controllers and dimmers.
• NEC
  • The Commission is actively involved with the tri-annual revision process used to update the National Electrical Code (NEC). Additional information concerning NEC is available on USITT's NEC page.
• Qualified Stage Electrician & Stage Hand
  • Setting qualification standards for electricians and stagehands and helping provide a way for them to become certified is an important activity for the Electrical Commission. See The Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) for more information

The mission of the USITT Lighting Design & Technology Commission is to serve the lighting profession by providing a forum for dialogue and information relating to excellence in lighting design, technology, production, associated research and development, and lighting education.

Explore their current projects, get involved, and more via their linktree here!

Commission Leadership:

Commissioner: Jesse Portillo

Commissioner: Tori Mays

Programming Commissioner: Jonathan Allender-Zivic

Co-IDEAS Representative: Stephen White

Co-IDEAS Representative:Luis Garcia

Co-International Representative: Adam Mendelson

Co-International Representative: Michael Knight

Communications & Conference Activities Coordinator: Julia McDaniel

Light Lab Coordinator: Todd Wren

Recommended Practices & Special Projects Coordinator: Heather Brown

Co-Awards Coordinator: Adam Chamberlain

Co-Awards Coordinator: Josh Mullady

Co-Special Events Coordinator: Dylan Bomgardner

Co-Special Events Coordinator: Kai Youngsteadt

Design Advisor: Mandy Heath

Co-Technology Advisor: David Smith

Co-Technology Advisor: Aaron Krohn

Early Career Advisor: Mason Hagarty

Vendor Liason: Ford Sellers

Professional Organization and Certification Liason: Jenni Propst

Updated: Sept. 16, 2024

What we do:

Details on all commission activities can be found in the Lighting Commission Manual.

• Past Projects:
  • Recommended Practice for Theatrical Lighting Design Graphics (2006)
  • Lighting Design Job Descriptions (2009)
  • USITT Lighting Commission Revised Portfolio Guidelines (2014)
  • Practical Projects for Teaching Lighting Design Compendium Volume 2 (2016)
• Current/Ongoing Projects:
  • Lighting and Projections Network Graphics Project
  • Revise Recommended Practice for Theatrical Lighting Design Graphics
  • Light Lab
• At the Conference:
  • Sessions and PDWs
  • Lighting Design and Technology Poster Session
  • Lighting Portfolio Review
  • Lighting Early Career Mixer
• Awards:
  • Distinguished Achievement in Lighting Design and Technology
  • USITT Lighting Design Award sponsored by Barbizon Lighting Company
  • Master Craftsmanship Award sponsored by Bernhard R. Works (on a rotating basis)

Management Commission provides creative leadership and education to generate strong, dynamic, and effective managers.

Commission Leadership:

Commissioner: Lawrence Bennett
Commissioner: Vacant
Commissioner (Programming): Lisa Anderson
   
MGMT Representatives (Digital and 365 Programming): Tina Shackleford
MGMT Representatives (IDEAS Rep.): Vacant
MGMT Representatives (History & Heritage): Vacant
MGMT Representatives (Stage Mangement): Rusty Cloyes
MGMT Representatives (Production Management):
MGMT Representatives (Arts Management): Patricia Hausmann
MGMT Representatives (SMMP): Nykol DeDreu
MGMT Representatives (Theme Parks):
MGMT Representatives (Portfolios, Resumes, etc.): Erin Joy Swank
MGMT Representatives (Portfolios, Resumes, etc.): Brian Rangell
MGMT Representatives (Coord. MGMT Educators Group): Michele Kay
MGMT Representatives (Coord. MGMT Educators Group): Claudia Lynch
MGMT Representatives (Book Club): Michele Kay

Updated: Oct. 20, 2023

Projects

• The Stage Management Mentor Project provides students and young professionals the opportunity to participate in a real-life training exercise coordinating major conference events.
• Workshops in a variety of management areas are offered during the Annual Conference & Stage Expo.
• Portfolio, Resume, & Interview Materials Prep (PRIMP) sessions provide the opportunity for all to receive feedback on materials presented for job interviews, whether you are a student or professional. Curriculum & Tenure Reviews are also available for Educators.
• The Distinguished Achievement Award is given to managers who have contributed a lifetime of expertise and experience to theatre management.
• The USITT Stage Management Award is awarded to an individual who has demonstrated excellence or outstanding potential in the area of stage management in the performing arts.

The Safety & Health Commission provides for training, education, and the exchange of information on all topics that affect the safety, health, and well-being of performers, technicians, and audience members.

Commission Leadership:  

Commissioner: Rosie G. Hartunian Alumbaugh
Commissioner: Sandy Everett
Commissioner: Laura Pates
   
Rep. History & Heritage: Greg Petruska
Rep for International Programs: Jeong-Sik Yoo
Rep. IDEAS: Vacant  
Outside Organizations: Vacant
   
Coordinators  
Communication: Jesse Cannon
The Vault: Vacant
Student Coordinator: Vacant

Updated: Oct. 20, 2023

Projects

• The Safety & Health Commission promotes safe and productive workplaces at all levels of educational institutions and community, regional, and professional theatres. Commission members also oversee USITT's International Health & Safety Award which honors individuals and institutions that successfully

Rigging Safety Initiative

• The program was created to fund inspections of theatrical rigging in secondary schools across America.

The Scene Design & Technology Commission furthers interest in the areas of scene design, scenic painting, and properties: provides information about innovations and trends within the field, encourages improvements in the teaching of design.

Commission Leadership:

Commissioner: Bridgette Dennett
Commissioner: Steph Charaska
   
Membership Representative: April Bartlett
International Representative: Jennifer Ivey
   
Co-Coordinator for Award Adjudicators: Kristen Martino
Co-Coordinator for Award Adjudicators: Brad Steinmetz

Coordinator of Communications: vacant
Coordinator of DAA: Kathryn Kawecki
Coordinator of Exhibits: Milinda Weeks

Coordinator of SCD/Props Lab: Ben Hohman
Coordinator of SCD/Props Lab: Ashley Crockett Guido

Coordinator of Paint Lab: Jamie Clausius

Paint Lab Assistant: Erin Auble

Paint Lab Assistant: Angelique Powers

Guild of Scenic Artists Representative: Cayla Ray-Perry

S*P*M Representative: Ben Hohman

Updated: July 3, 2025

Projects

Among other projects, the Commission honors distinguished scenic designers with awards and sessions about their designs during the Annual Conference & Stage Expo. Some of those honored are Ralph Funicello, Karl Eigsti, and Richard L. Hay.

The Sound Commission provides a center for intercommunication, information exchange, and project activity for people who are interested in the use of sound as a part of dramatic, theatrical, and entertainment presentations. The Commission works actively with other USITT Commissions as well as with members of the profession throughout the entertainment industry.

USITT/TSDCA Sound Documentation Recommended Practice

Commissioner Leadership:

Commissioner (Sound Lab): Jeff Polunas
Commissioner (Communications): Michelle Ohumukini
Commissioner (Programming): Carolina Perez
IDEAS Representative: Jing Zhao
H&H Representative: Curtis Craig
International Representative: Brad Ward (OISTAT)
Mentorship Representative: Christopher Plummer
Volunteers Coordinator: Jeff Polunas
DAA Coordinator: Brad Berridge
Publication Coordinator: Vincent Olivieri

Updated: Oct. 20, 2023

The Commission also works to promote the professional stature of sound designers and engineers in many ways, including recognizing outstanding careers through Distinguished Achievement Awards. Among those honored have been John Bracewell, David Collison, Don and Carolyn Davis, Jonathan Deans, Dan Dugan, Abe Jacob, Jack Mann, Tony Meola, John & Helen Meyer and Charlie Richmond.

Projects

Student sound portfolio guidelines

Sound Graphics Project

• The USITT Sound Graphics Guidelines are intended to serve as a common starting point for students studying sound design.
• The Sound Graphics Guidelines are currently being updated in collaboration with TSDCA. This process will be discussed at the March 2018 conference with a working draft released for comments later in the year. The subcommittee members are:
  • Josh Loar, Michael Backhaus, Nicholas Drashner, Sam Kusnetz, and Joanna Lynn Staub.
• Examples of sound system block diagrams prepared according to the current recommended guidelines:
  • Medium Sized Musical Theater System
  • Very Small System
  • Larger Musical Theater System
  • Small Non-Musical Theater Production

The OISTAT Sound Working Group works with the Scenography Commission to include sound design into that Commission’s, and OISTAT’s, membership and activities.

The Commission is very active in the Prague Quadrennial Scenofest.

The Sound Commission provides Student Portfolio Reviews at the Annual Conference & Stage Expo.

The Commission presents awards to those who have had outstanding careers in Sound (Harold Burris-Meyer Distinguished Career in Sound Award) and for outstanding student achievement (Robert E. Cohen Sound Achievement Award).